PLATINUM Stars head coach Cavin Johnson has been doing his homework ahead of Dikwena’s trip to Kitende to face Uganda’s Vipers in the first round, first leg of the Caf Confederation Cup at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.
Johnson’s side go into the match on a high after recording their third straight Absa Premiership win by beating Golden Arrows 2-0 on Tuesday.
Said the coach: “I have managed to get some information and footage of Vipers’ recent matches and they are a decent side. I now have a better idea of what to expect from them.
“Ugandan sides are always tough and difficult to beat, Vipers will be no different. I had no info when we played Mozambique’s Uniao Do Songo in the preliminary round – at least this time we have some info to help us.”
Johnson is not going to hang around in Uganda. The squad flies to Kampala tomorrow and will return home on Sunday to prepare for a Nedbank Cup Last 32 game against NFD side AmaZulu at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium next Wednesday.
Kitende is halfway between the capital Kampala and Entebbe.
Johnson said Tuesday‘s win over Arrows, which pushed them into the top eight for the first time this season, was just the tonic the side needed ahead of the trip to Uganda: “Winning our third game in a row was a major, major boost. The spirit in the camp is sky high now.
“I’ve always been a competitor, whether it be for the league or top eight. Now we are back, fighting for the top eight.
“But first we need to get a result in Uganda and my goal is to go as far as possible in the competition.”
Johnson says playing in Africa won’t derail Dikwena’s top eight hopes: “It’s about recovery and rest. Our backroom staff have been brilliant in keeping the players fresh. We also need to be mentally fit as well.”
Bonginkosi Ntuli, who is having a great season, and Tintswalo Tshabalala scored against Arrows and will play a prominent role against Vipers.
- Vipers have a brand new coach in former FC Porto star Jorge da Costa, who will have to hit the ground running as he faces a tough baptism of fire in his first game in charge against Dikwena after only being appointed on Tuesday.
